Small dogs with long snouts, such as whippets and miniature dachshunds, live many years longer than large dogs with snub snouts, such as the English bulldog, according to a new study published by the journal Scientific Reports.
The study, which is based on data from more than half a million dogs across the UK, aims to help people planning to get a dog make sure they choose a breed that will have a long and healthy life.
Dog breeds: a wide range of factors
Lead author Kirsten McMillan, data manager at the British charity Dogs Trust, says this is the first study to analyze how life expectancy varies depending on factors such as breed, size, face shape and sex.
“A medium-sized, flat-nosed male, such as an English bulldog, is almost three times more likely to live less than a small, long-nosed female, such as a miniature dachshund or Italian greyhound,” says McMillan.
Concern for dogs with snub noses
Among more than 150 breeds and crosses in the UK, the average life expectancy of all dogs was 12.5 years. But for the French bulldog, the most popular breed in America last year, the figure was only 9.8 years old.
Previous research has suggested that the short noses of flat-faced dogs, also called brachycephalics, could also cause significant respiratory problems.
Dan O’Neill, chair of campaign organization Brachycephalic Working Group, said the study further highlighted the “health and wellbeing crisis” facing these hugely popular breeds.
“It is crucial that the public prioritize health over what may seem ‘cute’, and we urge those considering owning a dog with a flat-nosed breed to take a moment to think about it,” he says.
The dogs with the longest life expectancy
The study reveals that the dogs with the longest life expectancy are Lancashire heelers, with an average of 15.4 years, followed by Tibetan spaniels (15.2 years) and miniature dachshunds (14 years). Labradors, the most popular breed in the UK, reached 13.1 years old.
Females tend to live slightly longer than males, with a life expectancy of 12.7 years versus 12.4 years.
The study also found that purebreds lived slightly longer than crossbreeds, contrary to previous research.
According to McMillan, this is likely due to the dawn of the “era of designer breeds,” in which deliberate crossbreeds such as Labradoodles, Cockapoos and Pomskies are becoming increasingly fashionable.
Economic factors
For those thinking about buying or adopting a dog, it’s important to be aware that some breeds will require more visits to the vet, McMillan stresses.
But vet bills aside, a more important consideration is love and affection: “These animals are members of our family. “We want to make sure we do everything we can to provide them with a long, happy and healthy life,” concludes McMillan.
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